Display device



A ril 25, 1967 F. DRUECK, m

DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1965 A riE 25, 1967 F.DRUECK, JR

DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1965 m I i Z a UnitedStates Patent 3,315,389 DISPLAY DEVICE Fred Drueck, .112, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Prevue Display Services, Inc, Chicago, 111., a corporationof Illinois Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 487,749 9 Claims. (Cl. 4053)This invention relates to display devices and more particularly todisplay devices having a member which rotates back and forth in anoscillatory fashion, whereby a progressively expanding display isprovided.

Numerous display devices of both the stationary and moving types havebeen devised and are presently avail-' able. People in the advertisingfield are, however, constantly striving to create new eye catchingdisplays which will attract attention. Moving, or animated, displaysgenerally attract greater attention, particularly if it is not readilyapparent how they operate.

While displays of the latter type are preferred, they are relativelymore expensive since they require moving parts. A major consideration indesigning displays of this type is therefore their cost. Another majorconsideration is the complexity of construction and still another is themaintenance problem presented. Displays are generally used for only arelatively short period of time and, therefore, unless they areinexpensive, simple in construction :and relatively maintenance free, itis virtually impossible to create a market for them. Accordingly, it isan object of the present invention to provide improved displays and, inparticular, moving displays.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improvedmoving displays which are relatively inexpensive, simple in constructionand virtually maintenance free.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provideimproved moving displays which may be readily assembled in the field.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provideimproved moving displays which may be readily changed to providedifferent displays. It is therefore con templated that the motivatingportion of the display which represents the greatest proportionate costof the display can be used with one or more different types of motivatedportions.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The above objectives are accomplished with the display of the presentinvention which, generally, includes a support stand which supports theentire display including the motivating portion and the motivatedportion. A front panel is aflixed to the support stand and the motivatedportion is rotatably affixed to it. The front panel also conceals themechanism for operating the motivating portion.

The motivated portion comprises a circular disk which is split along aradius thereof. It is secured to the back of the front panel and thefront panel has a slot formed in it through which the disk is extendedas it rotates. A progressively expanding display is therefore provided,

The motivating means is adapted to rotate the disk in one direction to apredetermined position and then to reverse its direction. There are nofixed connections between the motivating means and the disk so that theentire front panel can be quickly and easily replaced to provide adifferent display.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a moving display constructed inaccordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side plan view of thedisplay of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the displayof FIG. 1, prior to affixing the front panel to the support stand;

FIG. 4 is a of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating the driving connectionsbetween the elements of the display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the disk; and

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the front panel;

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a display device 10 exemplary of the presentinvention is illustrated including a support stand 12, a front panel 14,a disk 16 and a cover plate 18. The support stand 12 can be formed froma single sheet of material, such as cardboard, which is folded to formtapered side walls 19, a front wall 20, a top wall 21 and a bottom wall(not shown). A partial back wall can be provided by extending the sidewalls 19, the top wall 21 and the bottom wall and forming them with atongue and groove arrangement so that when folded and appropriatelyfitted with one another a sturdy support is provided. The lower end ofthe front wall 20 is also extended and folded outwardly to provide asupport base 22 which will prevent the display device from tippingforward.

The front panel 14 can also be formed from a single sheet of material,such as cardboard, which has its side edges folded to provide side walls24-27, each of which has a pair of extending tabs 29 formed in spacedrelation thereon. The tabs 29 are correspondingly positioned and adaptedto engage within slots 30 formed in the front wall 241, to secure thefront panel 14 to the support stand 12. As can be best seen in FIG. 8,the front panel 14 has an aperture 32 centrally formed therein and iscut along a line extending from its lower edge to the aperture 32 and isfurther cut along its lower edge so that a triangular section 33 thereofcan be folded inwardly to provide a slot 34 in its front face. It mayalso be noted, in FIG. 3, that the portion of the side wall 26 to theright of the slot 34 is longer in width than the other portion of theside wall. With this construction, the one edge of the slot 34 will beslightly offset to the other edge so that the disk 16 can easily passthrough it, in the manner described below. The front panel 14 also has acutout 31 in which a pin 40 secured to the disk 18 can enter, as thedisk is rotated, to permit 360 rotation of it.

As can be best seen in FIG. 7, the disk 16 has a diameter whichsubstantially corresponds to the height and width of the front panel 14.An aperture 36 which is preferably the same diameter as the aperture 32is centrally formed in the disk 16. The disk 16 is also out along aradius and a triangular "section 37 thereof is folded back to provide aslot 38 in the disk. A flat headed pin 40 is passed through an aperture(not shown) formed in the disk 16 and is fixedly secured thereto bymeans of fastening means such as a pressed fitted washer 41.

The disk 16 is rotatably secured to the front panel 14 by means of agrommet 42 passed through the apertures 32 and 36. The grommet 42, ascan be best seen in FIG. 5, has side walls 43 which are oversized andthe disk is partial sectional view taken along lines 4-4 partialsectional view taken along lines Patented Apr. 25, 1967.

therefore fixedly secured to the front panel but with little frictionalengagement between the mating surfaces thereof. The disk 16 thereforecan freely rotate.

A motor 46 which is preferably an electric motor of the .type having aforced actuated reversing clutch arrangement, that is, the type whichreverses rotation when it encounters resistance to rotation in one or.the other directions, is fixedly secured to the rear of the front Wall20 of the support stand 12 by means of motor mounting screws 47. Theshaft (not shown) of the motor 46 is passed through an aperture (notshown) in the front wall 20 and has a disk driving assembly secured toit. The driving assembly includes a hollow cylindrical member 49 whichis slipped over the motor shaft and is secured to it by fastening meanssuch as the set screw 50. A U-shaped rod 54 is fixedly secured to thecylindrical member 49 and has one of its legs 55 adapted to engage a pin23 extending through the front wall 20 of the support stand 12. Itsother leg 56 lies in a plane parallel to the plane in which the leg 55lies but is angularly disposed from the leg 55 and is reversely bent toprovide a slot 57. Additional support for the leg 55 can be provided byfixedly securing a support plate 58 to the cylindrical member 49 and byfixedly securing the leg 55 to it.

A cover plate 18 conceals the grommet 42 and the cutout 31 in the frontpanel 14. The cover plate 18 is held by a plug 51 having an enlargedhead portion 52 which is fixedly secured in the end of the cylindricalmember 49 and extended through the aperture 44 in the grommet. A cupshaped member 53 having an aperture 59 can be secured to the back of thecover plate 18 and the enlarged head portion 52 of the plug 51 passedthrough the aperture to support it.

The pin 40 secured to the disk 16 is positioned so that when the frontpanel 14 with the disk secured to it is affixed to the support stand 12the pin 40 engages within the slot 57 and the slot 38 in the disk 16 isaligned with the slot 34 in the front panel. When the motor 46 isenergized, the leg 56 is rotated and carries the pin 40 with it, withinthe slot 57, so that the disk 16 is also rotated. The folded triangularsection 37 of the disk 16 progressively extends out of the slot 34formed in the front panel 14 and a progressively increasing display istherefore provided. The leg 55 also rotates and when it engages the pin23 in the front wall 20 of the support stand 12 it restricts therotation of the motor 46, thereby causing it to reverse its direction ofrotation. Upon reversing the direction of rotation, the exposed portionof the disk 16 is continually decreased as it is passed through the slot34 and concealed behind the front panel 14. The operation of the displaydevice continues in this fashion, as long as the motor means 46 isenergized.

It may be observed that the cut-out 31 in the front panel 14 allows 360rotation of the disk 16 since the pin 40 in the disk can enter thecut-out 31 and will not engage the front panel. Also, the longer leg 55permits relatively thin material to be used for the display device. Itis apparent that the stopping pin 23 could be placed elsewhere, forexample, in a position to be engaged by the leg 56, but the cantileveraction of the leg 56 striking the pin 23 would be greater and wouldrequire more support for the pin. By using the longer leg 55, the forceis not as great and permits some flexing of the leg 55 so that thedisplay device is not damaged. Using the two legs 55 and 56 also permitscloser spacing of the front panel and the support stand since otherwiselonger stop and guide pins would be required which, in turn, wouldrequire greater spacing between them. Greater degree of rotation is alsopermitted since rotation is only limited by the width (diameter) of theleg 55.

It can be seen that the display device 10' can be easily knocked downfor shipping and reassembled at the job site. With the fiat headed pin40 on the disk 16 removed the entire front panel 14 and the disk 16 canbe folded flat. The support stand 12 can also be folded fiat when themotor 46, the pin 23 and the driving arrangement are removed. At the jobsite, the support stand 12 is folded and the partial back panelinterlocked, the motor 46 secured to the support stand by means of themotor mounting screws 47 and the fiat headed pin 23 secured to it. Thedriving arrangement for the disk 16 is next fastened to the shaft of themotor 46 by means of the set screw 50. The pin 40 is then secured to thedisk 16 and the side walls of the front-panel 14 folded and the tabs 29thereon inserted in the slots 30 formed in the front wall 20 of thesupport stand 12. The display device 10 is then operative uponenergizing the motor 46.

As indicated above, the support stand 12, the front panel 14, the disk16 and the cover plate 18 can all be fabricated of cardboard so that arelatively inexpensive display device is provided. Also, since the frontpanel 14 and the disk 16 can be fabricated of cardboard this portion ofthe display device can be easily and inexpensively replaced to providedifferent type of displays. The support stand 12, the motor 46 and thedriving arrangement is therefore usable with any number of front panelsand disks.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently atained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront wall; motor means having a shaft secured to said front wall, saidmotor means being of the reversing type when its direction of rotationis restricted; drive means secured to said shaft; a front panel securedto said front wall of said support stand having a slot formed thereinextending from one side edge thereof to its center; and a disk having aslot formed therein extending from its edge to its center rotatablysecured to said front panel and adapted to extend through said slot insaid front panel as it is rotated; means secured to said disk whichengage said drive means, whereby said disk is rotated; and stop meansengaged by said drive means to thereby cause said motor means to reverseits direction of rotation and cause said disk to pass back into saidslot in said front panel.

2. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront wall with an aperture formed therein; motor means secured to theback of said front wall having a shaft extending through said aperture,said motor means being of the reversing type when its direction ofrotation is restricted; drive means se cured to said shaft; a frontpanel secured to said front wall of said support stand having a slotformed therein extending from one side edge thereof to its center; and adisk having a slot formed therein extending from its edge to its centerrotatably secured to said front panel and adapted to extend through saidslot in said front panel as it is rotated means secured to said diskwhich engage said drive means, whereby said disk is rotated; and stopmeans engaged by said drive means to thereby cause said rnotor means toreverse its direction of rotation and cause said disk to pass back intosaid slot in said front panel.

3. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront wall with an aperture formed therein; motor means secured to theback of said front wall having a shaft extending through said aperture,said motor means being of the reversing type when its direction ofrotation is restricted; a drive assembly secured to said shaft includinga U-shaped member adapted to be rotated by said shaft, one leg of saidU-shaped member being positioned in a plane parallel with the other legthereof and angularly disposed thereto, said leg being reversely bent toprovide a slot; a front panel secured to said front wall of said supportstand having a slot formed therein extending from one side edge thereofto its center; and a disk having a slot formed therein extending fromits edge to its center rotatably secured to said front pane-l andadapted to extend through said slot in said front panel as it isrotated; means secured to said disk engagable in said slot for rotatingsaid disk; and stop means engaged by one of said legs to thereby causesaid motor means to reverse its direction of rotation and cause saiddisk to pass back into said slot in said front panel.

4. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront 'wall with an aperture formed therein; stop means secured to saidfront wall; motor means secured to the 'back of said front wall having ashaft extending through said aperture, said motor means being of thereversing type when its direction of rotation is restricted; a driveassembly secured to said shaft including a member adapted to be rotatedby said shaft, said member having a first leg adapted to engage saidstop means to cause said motor means to reverse its direction ofrotation and a second leg in a plane parallel with said first leg andangularly disposed thereto, said second leg being reversely bent toprovide a slot; a front panel secured to said front wall of said supportstand having a slot formed therein extending from one side edge thereofto its center; and a disk having a slot formed therein extending fromits edge to its center rotatably secured to said front panel and adaptedto extend through said slot in said front panel as it is rotated; andmeans secured to said disk adapted to be engaged in said slot to rotatesaid disk.

5. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront wall with an aperture formed therein; a stop pin secured to saidfront wall; motor means secured to said front wall having a shaftextending through said aperture, said motor means being of the reversingtype when its direction of rotation is restricted; a drive assemblysecured to said shaft including a member adapted to be rotated bysaidshaft, said member having a first leg adapted to engage said stopmeans to cause said motor means to reverse its direction of rotation anda second leg in a plane parallel with said first leg and angularlydisposed thereto, said second leg being reversely bent to provide aslot; a front panel secured to said front Wall of said support standhaving a slot formed therein extending from one side edge thereof to itscenter and a cut-out for a drive pin; and a disk having a slot formedtherein extending from its edge to its center rotatably secured to saidfront panel and adapted to extend through said slot in said front panelas it is rotated; a drive pin secured to said disk adapted to be engagedin said slot to rotate said disk.

6. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand formedfrom an integral sheet of material and having a front wall with anaperture formed therein; a stop pin secured tosaid front wall; motormeans secured to the back of said front wall and having a shaftextending through said aperture, said motor means being of the reversingtype when'its direction of rotation is restricted; a drive assemblysecured to said shaft including a member adapted to be rotated by saidshaft, said member having a first leg adapted to engage said stop meansto cause said motor means to reverse its direction of rotation and asecond leg in a plane parallel with said first leg and angularlydisposed thereto, said second leg being reversely bent to provide aslot; a front panel formed from an integral sheet of material andadapted to be secured to said front wall of said support stand, saidfront panel having a slot formed therein extending from one side edgethereof to its center and a cut-out for a drive pin; and a disk having aslot formed therein extending from its edge to its center rotatablysecured to said front panel and adapted to extend through said slot insaid front panel as it is rotated; a drive pin secured to said diskadapted to be engaged in said slot to rotate said disk.

7. A display device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sheet ofmaterial is cardboard.

8. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront wall with an aperture formed therein; a stop pin secured to saidfront wall; motor means secured to the back of said front wall andhaving a shaft extending through said aperture, said motor means beingof the reversing type when its direction of rotation is restricted; adrive assembly secured to said shaft including a member adapted to berotated by said shaft, said member having a first leg adapted to engagesaid stop means to cause said motor means to reverse its direction ofrotation and a second leg in a plane parallel with said first leg andangularly disposed thereto, said second leg being reversely bent toprovide a slot; a front panel secured to said front wall of said supportstand having side walls and a slot formed therein extending from oneedge of one of said side walls to its center, said side wall on oppositesides of said slot being different in size so as to offset said frontpanel to provide a larger slot; and a disk having a slot formed thereinextending from its edge to its center rotatably secured to said frontpanel and adapted to extend through said slot in said front panel as itis rotated; a drive pin secured to said disk adapted to engage in saidslot to rotate said disk.

9. A display device comprising, in combination: a support stand having afront wall with a plurality of spaced slots formed therein and anaperture centrally formed between said slots; a stop pin secured to saidfront wall; motor means secured to the back of said front wall andhaving a shaft extending through said aperture, said motor means beingof the reversing type when its direction of rotation is restricted; adrive assembly secured to said shaft including a member adapted to berotated by said shaft, said member having a first leg adapted to engagesaid stop means to cause said motor means to reverse its direction ofrotation and a second leg in a plane parallel with said first leg andangularly disposed thereto, said second leg being reversely bent toprovide a slot; a front panel having side walls, each of which has anextending tab adapted to engage in respective ones of said slots tosecure said front panel to said front wall of said support stand, saidfront panel having a slot formed therein extending from the edge of oneof said side walls to its center; said side wall on opposite sides ofsaid slot being different in size so as to offset said front panel toprovide a larger slot; and a disk having a slot formed therein extendingfrom its edge to its center rotatably secured to said front panel andadapted to extend through said {slot in said front panel as it isrotated; a drive pin secured to said disk adapted to engage in said slotto rotate said disk.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,011,517 8/1935Geoifrion 4034 X 2,082,612 6/1937 Bourquin 40-34 2,788,173 4/1957Lovelady 40-61 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. W. J. CONTRERAS,Assistant Examiner.

1. A DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A SUPPORT STAND HAVING AFRONT WALL; MOTOR MEANS HAVING A SHAFT SECURED TO SAID FRONT WALL, SAIDMOTOR MEANS BEING OF THE REVERSING TYPE WHEN ITS DIRECTION OF ROTATIONIS RESTRICTED; DRIVE MEANS SECURED TO SAID SHAFT; A FRONT PANEL SECUREDTO SAID FRONT WALL OF SAID SUPPORT STAND HAVING A SLOT FORMED THEREINEXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE EDGE THEREOF TO ITS CENTER; AND A DISK HAVING ASLOT FORMED THEREIN EXTENDING FROM ITS EDGE TO ITS CENTER ROTATABLYSECURED TO SAID FRONT PANEL AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND THROUGH SAID SLOT INSAID FRONT PANEL AS IT IS ROTATED; MEANS SECURED TO SAID DISK WHICHENGAGE SAID DRIVE MEANS, WHEREBY SAID DISK IS ROTATED; AND STOP MEANSENGAGED BY SAID DRIVE MEANS TO THEREBY CAUSE SAID MOTOR MEANS TO REVERSEITS DIRECTION OF ROTATION AND CAUSE SAID DISK TO PASS BACK INTO SAIDSLOT IN SAID FRONT PANEL.